Ryan Murphy Signs Exclusive Multi-Year Deal with Netflix

In what many are calling one of the largest creative contracts in television ever, Emmy, Golden Globe and Peabody Award-winning producer/director/writer Ryan Murphy (Glee, American Horror Story, Pose) has signed an overall agreement with Netflix that could end up being valued as high as $300 million. With a five-year deal set to begin July 1st, Ryan Murphy Productions will be leaving Fox to produce new series and films exclusively for the streaming service.

"The history of this moment is not lost on me. I am a gay kid from Indiana who moved to Hollywood in 1989 with $55 dollars in savings in my pocket, so the fact that my dreams have crystallized and come true in such a major way is emotional and overwhelming to me. I am awash in genuine appreciation for Ted Sarandos, Reed Hastings and Cindy Holland at Netflix for believing in me and the future of my company which will continue to champion women, minorities and LGBTQ heroes and heroines, and I am honored and grateful to continue my partnership with my friends and peers at Fox on our existing shows." – Ryan Murphy

Murphy had concerns about possible creative fallout and uncertainties from the proposed Disney/20th Century Fox acquisition deal, though Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke with him to reassure him that his programming would have a home at the studio. Murphy, who currently has two series in development at Netflix (Ratched, The Politician), chose the streaming service for its long-term creative vision and access to pursue television series, films and documentaries all under one banner.

"Ryan Murphy's series have influenced the global cultural zeitgeist, reinvented genres and changed the course of television history. His unfaltering dedication to excellence and to give voice to the underrepresented, to showcase a unique perspective or just to shock the hell out of us, permeates his genre-shattering work. From Nip/Tuck – our first licensed series – to American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson and American Horror Story, we've seen how his brand of storytelling captivates consumers and critics across the globe. His celebrated body of work and his contributions to our industry speak for themselves, and we look forward to supporting Ryan in bringing his broad and diverse stories to the world." – Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer at Netflix

Murphy also oversees work on FX's American Crime Story, American Horror Story, Feud and the upcoming Pose; and 9-1-1 on Fox. He is expected to continue focusing on those series for at least the next year, working with directly with the studio's executive teams as well as those at Fox and FX. Murphy is the latest in a series of creative deals set by Netflix, which also includes Grey's Anatomy's Shonda Rhimes, Friends' Marta Kauffman and Weeds' Jenji Kohan.